 Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi Da Boot Sports 2/21/2024 By: Jason Watson Jr. Baton Rouge, LA- Your LSU Fighting Tigers roared to back-to-back ranked victories with a gritty performance over SEC foe Kentucky. In a back and forth matchup, Matt McMahon’s squad got the last dagger at the literal last second. A heroic, all-around team effort led the Tigers to a 75-74 upset. “Really don’t have the words to describe it. Just so proud of our players." Matt McMahon said. "Over the last week seeing the toughness that we need to play with. I think it has to be the foundation of your program. For some reason when we go down by 15 points again in the second half and then really came together as a team and found ways to get it done. The last minute was obviously not a work of art, but that’s on me and the guys found a way to win anyways. So, I’m really proud of them. The atmosphere in the PMAC was fantastic. Loved the energy. It’s a great win for our team and for our program. Kentucky is terrific. The challenging part of this league is two great wins at South Carolina and Kentucky here tonight and it will be a quick turnaround here with Mississippi State rolls into town on Saturday. So, we’ll enjoy it here for an hour or so and then we got to start getting ready for a really good Mississippi State team.” The LSU faithful were impactful from the opening possession, forcing the Wildcats into a shot clock violation. Big man Will Baker put up the first point of the night for the Tigers by splitting a pair of free throws. Tyrell Ward knocked down a catch-and-shoot triple off an inbound pass. Derek Fountain, starting because of injuries within the Tigers’ starting five, nailed his three-pointer to help LSU keep pace with Kentucky. The Tigers knotted things up at 16 apiece going into the first official timeout of the game at the 13:13 mark before Jordan Wright stepped into a big shot, giving LSU the lead. LSU played well enough to hang with the Wildcats through the opening ten minutes of play, but a few poor turnovers from the Tigers kept the game close, and we remained tied at 22-22 with 7:37 remaining in the first half. Jordan Wright scored a big basket for the Tigers, getting a teardrop to fall off the front iron, but sloppy play from both sides made for a low-scoring affair. LSU held the Wildcats to a 4+ minute scoring drought but could only muster a two-point lead. Trae Hannibal converted 1/2 free throws, putting the Tigers back in front by one, but Kentucky made the first big run of the game by outscoring LSU 12-1 out of the prior timeout. That proved all for scoring in the first half as LSU trailed 36-27 in a flash. LSU was outrebounded 18-16 in the first 20 minutes and also gave up 11 turnovers. Kentucky began the second half by knocking down two three-pointers, extending their lead to 15. Matt McMahon called a timeout less than a minute into the frame. Derek Fountain and Hannibal halted the bleeding for LSU, earning tough buckets inside the paint. The dynamic duo kept at it on the offensive end as Fountain flushed home an emphatic jam off a no-look dime from Trae. The Wildcats double-digit lead got erased quickly, and Coach Cal was hot. LSU made an 11-0 run over 1:45 and drew to within two. Jalen Reed converted a reverse layup to tie the game at 46 all. The PMAC crowd grew to a mighty roar. Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard drew a hushed silence and an and-one to put the Cats back in front. LSU battled in the second half and found themselves up five with under 10 to play. With eight minutes to go, LSU led 59-58. McMahon and the LSU basketball team are proving they have something special brewing on the bayou. The fans rewarded their tough play by getting louder than they had at any home game all season. Will Baker got a gutsy layup to fall in, extending the Tiger lead to three. Kentucky trailed 63-60 with 5:42 left in the game. When you thought LSU would get a stop, UK’s Adou Thiero slammed a two-handed putback dunk through the rim. Rob Dillingham made a massive triple for Kentucky to tie things up at 67 before Jalen Reed gave the Tigers a two-point lead. Will Baker followed it up with a three-pointer as the shot clock expired. Kentucky tried to respond, but Tyrell Ward came up with a clutch rejection that sent the basketball into the stands. Kentucky was not phased by the block and finished another and-one opportunity to bring themselves within one point of LSU. Dillingham delivered a clutch basket to put the Wildcats up by one with under 20 seconds to play. Then… Chaos Ensued! LSU took possession with one timeout remaining, but McMahon put his faith in the guys on the court. Jordan Wright dribbled the ball up the floor and drove hard to the right where he was met with heavy contact. Wright attempted a shot, but was deflected back into him before he threw up a lobbed prayer, a jump ball, if you will. Tyrell Ward answered those prayers by corralling the rock in mid air and tossed up a floater that hit nothing but the bottom of the net. The crowd erupted as fans stormed the court. LSU claimed the victory! Game Over! LSU stays at home for their next contest. The Mississippi State Bulldogs will make the trip to Baton Rouge for a Saturday night tip-off on February 24th. You can catch that game’s broadcast on the SEC Network at 7:30 p.m. CST, and as always, Geaux Tigers! Don't forget to tune in every Monday night at 7pm for Talking Tigers with Da Boot Sports as we talk LSU Basketball. GEAUX TIGERS!! Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi Photos Below By: Jonathan Mailhes John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior) *John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. A huge Thank You to Cardio Health Solutions owned by Ron Sancho for sponsoring and believing in our publication!
CARDIO HEALTH SOLUTIONS The company who cares for your heart and what your heart cares for!! Cardio Health Solutions (CHS) utilizes PET and CPET technology to detect all forms of cardiovascular disease even in its earliest stage. We also provide financing, support, and management services to practices interested in exploring the functional capacity of their patients through detection and ancillary imaging. GEAUX to https://www.cardiohealthsolutions.net/ for more information, or call 1-800-578-0654   #52 Ron Sancho DA BOOT SPORTS SUPPORTS AUTISM SPEAKS
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
June 2024
|
RSS Feed